Eric Pearce

Eric Pearce learned to play field hockey in India, alongside his brothers Gordon and Mel. When his family moved to Australia in 1947, younger brother Julian took up the sport as well and all four would go on to represent their new home nation at the Summer Olympics. Only Eric, however, attended four editions, from 1956 through 1968, taking bronze in 1964 and silver in 1968. At the latter edition, he served as the flagbearer in the closing ceremonies. His oldest brother Cec was also a field hockey player, but he retired prior to the 1956 Melbourne Games, while Eric’s daughter Colleen went on to represent Australia in the sport at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Eric continued to compete domestically through 1975, winning a total of seven national championships with Western Australia. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Western Australian Hall of Champions the following year.